What is the difference between literal and variables in Python?

11
votes

I'm a beginner user for Python, but I get confused between literal and variables.

This is what I know about a literal: "a"+"b"

And variables: sentence="a"+"b"

2
pythonvariablesdefinitionliterals
You should really read the Python Tutorial at least. - JBernardo
"a" and "b" are literals. "a" + "b" is an expression - jamylak
A variable is something that can vary. A literal is stating it literally! - Mudassir Hasan

2 Answers

17
votes

A literal is notation for representing a fixed (const) value.
A variable is storage location associated with a symbolic name (pointed to, if you'd like).

It's best explained in use:

foo = bar(42)
^     ^   ^
|     |   |--- literal, 42 is *literally* 42
|     |------- function, also represents "something" in memory
|------------- variable, named "foo", and the content may vary (is variable)

Identifier on the other hand is the name assigned to a variable in a python statement.

6
votes

In any programming language a Literal is a constant value, where as identifiers can change their values. Identifiers can store literals and process them further. Identifiers are name given to variables.

1, 1.5, 'a', "abc", etc. are examples for literals. But in the statement x=123, x is a variable and 123 is a Literal.